The media and the war. (Opinion Pulse).

The media aren't as highly regarded as the military, as the chart on the previous page shows. Still, solid majorities describe the coverage of the war against terrorism as excellent or good. Sixty percent say coverage of the administration's policies on terrorism has been about right. During wartime, the government's ability to control information trumps a free press. People want war coverage to be neutral, not pro-American. The rules have changed about journalists' access to war zones. In late March, 57 percent said reporters traveling with the troops was a good idea.

 
Question: In general, how would you rate ...? 
 
Press coverage of the terrorist attacks and the war 
against terrorism has been 
 
                       Excellent  Good 
 
September 2001             56%     33% 
early October              48      37 
late October               32      42 
November                   30      47 
Decemeber                  32      45 
April-May 2002             29      48 
 
Source: Pew Research Center for the People 
& the Press, latest that of April-May 2002. 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Question: If you had to pick ...? 
 
The right to a free 
press in this country is        34% 
more important 
 
The government's 
ability to keep secrets         60 
in wartime is 
 
Source: ABC News, January 2003. 
 
Note: Table made from bar graph. 
 
Question: If there is an American military action ..., do you ...? 
 
                Think a pool of American reporters  Think the 
                should be allowed to accompany      press should 
                American forces to combat zones     be restricted 
 
1983                            63%                      28% 
 
1984                            59                       31 
 
1991 
(pre-Gulf ...